Senior Scientist, PET Radiochemist

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions to deliver breakthroughs that profoundly impact health for humanity.

About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow. Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

About the Role

We are searching for a passionate and innovative Senior Scientist, PET Radiochemist to join our dynamic Radiochemistry team in La Jolla, CA. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative research that directly impacts our development pipeline and business outcomes within R&D. Join us to be part of a collaborative team pushing the boundaries of medical imaging and radiochemistry.

Responsibilities

• Radiolabel small and large lead molecules with PET and SPECT imaging isotopes.
• Proactively investigate and optimize existing radiosynthetic processes or develop new, improved methods.
• Synthesize precursors and standards in a chemistry lab on an ad hoc basis as needed.
• Generate independent hypotheses based on synthesis and design data; complete follow-up experiments, purifications, and analyses with minimal supervision.
• Review and improve standard procedures to enhance current approaches.
• Draft and submit peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, and patent applications.
• Independently plan, complete, and troubleshoot experiments; document data; interpret results; and communicate findings optimally.
• Collaborate with global therapeutic areas, external partners, academic institutions, and CROs to support imaging studies and develop novel imaging biomarkers.

Requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field with 6+ years of industry experience is required.
• An advanced degree, Master's with 4+ years of industry experience or a PhD with 2+ years post-doctoral or industry experience, is highly preferred.
• Experience in radiochemistry and imaging probe development is required.
• Confirmed expertise in radiolabeling both small and large molecule PET tracers is preferred.
• Proficiency with radioisotopes such as F-18, Cu-64, Ga-68, and Zr-89 is required.
• Familiarity with automated PET synthesis modules is preferred.
• Knowledge of radiation safety principles and health physics is required.
• Industry experience is advantageous, but not required.

This role is entirely lab-focused.

Pay

The anticipated base pay range for this position is $109,000.00 - $174,800.00. Under current guidelines, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan. Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion on an individual basis.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
• Consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
• Vacation – 120 hours per calendar year.
• Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year (48 hours for Colorado residents, 56 hours for Washington residents).
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – 13 days per calendar year.
• Work, Personal and Family Time – up to 40 hours per calendar year.
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child.
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member, 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year.
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period.
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year.
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year.